South Bank Corporation quietly removes ten Uber ranks just days after they were installed

A group of ten Uber ranks disappeared nearly as soon as they were rolled out near the heart of Brisbane’s CBD but there is a chance they could return, a move that would enrage the taxi industry.

A GROUP of unsanctioned Uber pick-up zones in South Bank that drew howls of rage from the taxi industry have been quietly removed just days after they were installed.

But the door has been left open for their return with the State Government and Brisbane City Council conceding they are powerless to stop South Bank Corporation from reintroducing unofficial pick-up zones within the precinct.

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The Uber-branded zones were trumpeted on December 21 as an Australian-first partnership between the corporation, which manages South Bank, and Uber that would improve safety for drivers and passengers.

But the taxi industry immediately lashed out, calling the zones confusing and claiming they encroached on the exclusive rights of taxis for rank and hail work.

An Uber driver working in the city. Picture: Annette Dew

Days later they disappeared however a South Bank Corporation spokeswoman refused to explain why the decision was made.

“Over the past six months we have been working with ride share providers to provide a better experience for visitors to South Bank,” she said.

“That work is continuing and those negotiations are commercial in confidence.”

Queensland Taxi Licence Owner’s Association chief Paul Scaini said the ranks encouraged Uber drivers to loiter in loading zones and welcomed the South Bank Corporation’s abrupt U-turn.

“It was refreshing to see that those responsible for all the specially erected signs designed to identify Southbank’s ‘Uber ranks’ were also concerned enough, when confronted, to have them pulled down just a few days later,” he said.

“They went up in the dead of night and they came down in the same manner.”

Yellow cabs queuing at Queen St taxi rank, Brisbane. Picture: Liam Kidston

A Department of Transport and Main Roads spokesman said ride share pick-up zones were not officially recognised in transport legislation.

“The Department of Transport and Main Roads understands these signs had been placed next to existing passenger pick-up and set down zones around South Bank and could therefore be utilised by any vehicle picking up passengers,” he said in a statement.

“The removal of the signs is a matter for South Bank Corporation.”

A Brisbane City Council spokeswoman also said the signs were a matter for the corporation.